Mitsubishi Repair: lugnuts on 90 Eclipse, low profile tires, auto salvage yard

Question
we have a 1990 Eclipse with autotranny. base model. i had put 18" wheels on it with tuner lugnuts, but because my wife doesnt like the low profile tires and has damaged one wheel,i have a set of mid 90's factory eclipse 16" wheels/tires to put on instead. my question is are the acorn style lugnuts in 12mmx1.50 suitable for holding the factory 16" wheels in place? i first bought the mag style 12mmx1.50 that go inside the hole but found out these run out of room before the washers make contact with the wheel and wont tighten down. it will tighten with two sets of washers on each lugnut, but with only one washer, the shaft of the mag style lugnut is too long and reaches the back of the spindle before the lug reaches the wheels surface. the guy at the auto parts store said to use the acorn style for these factory 16" eclipse wheels and said would work and exchanged them with the mag style. will these be OK to use with 95 factory eclipse wheels on a 90 Eclipse or do i have to find shorter mag style lugnuts with shorter shafts? please let me know if you can.

Answer
Craig,
Try the aftermarket acorn lugnuts the parts store guy said would work.  I would guess he cross-referenced a 2G wheel with the lugnuts before hand.  When you put those 95 factory 16" wheels on, tighten them to spec.  Do some very moderate driving and corning for about 10 miles.  If the 95 wheels are alloy, after 10-20 miles, retorque the the lugnuts and be sure they are still properly tightened.  If you feel any kind of wobble or a noise that sounds like there is a helicopter in your car, you know that those lugnuts are not doing the job.  Do not drive too long if you start to feel the wobble or hear that noise.  That is you wheel working it's way free from the hub.  It won't fall off, but it can cause damage to your lug studs and wheel bearings.  If you cannot find aftermarket lugnuts that work, go to the dealership and buy a set for the 95 eclipse.  Better yet, check your local auto salvage yard or eBay for a set.

I ran into this same problem when I installed a set of wheel from a Nissan 350Z to my 90 Eclipse GSX.  Getting the right lugnuts can be tricky, but can cost you plenty more if you use the wrong ones.
Good luck!